Medicine
Permanent URI for this communityhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/12
This repository contains the published and unpublished research of the Faculty of Medicine by the staff members of the faculty
Browse
101 results
Search Results
Item Clearance of microfilaraemia and red blood cell glutathione peroxidase(GPX) levels in asymptomatic microfilaraemics after single dose and 14 days’ treatment with diethyl carbamazine citrate(DEC) (Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2001) Premaratna, R.; Chandrasena, T.G.A.N.; Abeyewickreme, W.; de Silva, N.R.; Chandrasena, L.G.; de Silva, H.J.Abstract AvailableItem Clearance of microfilaraemia and red blood cell glutathione peroxidase(GPX) levels in asymptomatic microfilaraemics after single dose and 14 days’ treatment with diethyl carbamazine citrate(DEC)(Wiley, 2001) Premaratna, R.; Chandrasena, T.G.A.N.; Abeyewickreme, W.; de Silva, N.R.; Chandrasena, L.G.; de Silva, H.J.Abstract AvailableItem Red blood cell antioxidant levels after treatment with diethyl carbamazine(Wiley, 2001) Premaratna, R.; Chandrasena, T.G.A.N.; Abeyewickreme, W.; de Silva, N.R.; Chandrasena, L.G.; de Silva, H.J.Abstract AvailableItem Study on Phlebotomine sand flies in selected areas in Sri Lanka(Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists, 2006) Senanayake, S.A.S.C.; Karunaweera, N.D.; Abeyewickreme, W.Sandflies are the known vectors of disease leishmaniasis. Though there are three clinical entities (viceral, mucocutaneous and cutaneous),^.only cutaneous form of the disease is seen in Sri Lanka. Presence of sandflies belonging to six species has been reported from various parts of the country since 1910. But the first indigenous case of cutaneous leishmaniasis was recorded in 1922. The number of cases rapidly increased during past few years and it is now been considered as an established disease. The causative organism of the disease is the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani MON37. The vector of the Sri Lankan cutaneous leishmaniasis is still unknown. This study was carried out in two selected areas in Kurunegala and Matara ditricts where considerable number of patients was reported to the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Colombo. The objectives of the study were to identify the prevalent sandfly species in selected areas and establish the potential vector(s). The adult sandflies were collectedTrom four different sites in selected areas. Three different methodologies were used (cattle-baited net traps, CDC light traps, manual collection and mechanical aspirators). Collections were done for 18 months from Sep2004. Collected sandflies were dissected under dissecting microscope and mounted on glass slides. The specimens were examined under both light and phase contrast microscopes. A subset of collected samples were sent to CDC, Atlanta for molecular based identification. Blood fed females were subjected to gut dissection to demonstrate the presence of leishmania parasites within the vector. Real time PCR analysis was carried out with a subset of samples using Leishmania donovani primers. Two species of sandfies were identified in both areas. They were Phlebotomus argentepes and Sergentomiya zeylanica, two species which had been reported previously. P. argentepes is the established vector of visceral leishmaniasis in India and latter is a non human disease transmitter. A total of 3587 sandfies were examined (1756 from Matara and 1731 from Kurunegala) Male to female ratio of the collection was 6:1(3075 males and 522 females). Only 88 ( 5.01%) P. argentepes were found in Matara and rest 1168 (94.99%) were S. zeylanica. How ever, Kurunegala collection resulted with 1549 (89.48%) P. argentepes and 192 S. zeylanica. None of the method use to demonstrate leishmania parasites in sandflies gave positive results. Financial assistants by National Science Foundation for research Grant 2005 /HS/07 is acknowledged.Item Genetic Polymorphism in Pvmsp-3a. and Pvcs genes in Plasmodium vivax infections in Sri Lanka(Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists, 2008) Manamperi, A.; Fernando, D.; Mahawithanage, S.; Wickremasinghe, R*.; Bandara, A.; Wellawatta, C.; Hapuarachchi, C.; Abeyewickreme, W.; Wickremasinghe, R.INTRODUCTION: Plasmodim vivax malaria accounts for about 70% of all malaria infections in Sri Lanka. There is limited information on the genetic heterogeneity of P. vivax parasites in endemic areas of the country. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the potential of two P. vivax genes, Pvmsp-3v. and Pvcs. as genetic markers for their use in genotyping parasites collected from the field. METHOD: DNA was extracted from 12 Geimsa-stained P. vivax positive slides by phenol/chloroform method. A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach was adopted for both Pvmsp-3a and Pvcs genes. RFLP analysis ofPvmsp-la nested PCR products was carried out with Hha\ restriction enzyme. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Nested amplification of the marker genes resulted in 4 size variants for Pvcs (~ 600-750 bp) and 2 size variants for Pvmsp-3a (1.9 kb and 1.1 kb). Further, all PCR-RFLP products of Pvmsp-3a. Gene showed a major size polymorphism. Three samples showed evidence of infections with mixed genotypes and there was also evidence to identify a relapse infection. Analysis of these two genetic markers revealed 11 distinguishable variant types: 4 for Pvcs and 7 for Pvmsp-3a. CONCLUSIONS: The observed PCR and PCR-RFLP profiles of the Pvcs and Pvmsp-3& genes demonstrate that the P. vivax parasites in Sri Lanka were highly diverse despite the prevailing low transmission levels. It could be concluded that these two genes in combination could be considered suitable genetic markers to analyze P. vivax parasite dynamics in Sri Lanka.Item Red blood cell antioxidant levels after treatment with diethyl carbamazine citrate in persons with asymptomatic microfilaraemia(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2001) Premaratna, R.; Chandrasena, T.G.A.N.; Abeyewickreme, W.; de Silva, N.R.; Chandrasena, L.G.; de Silva, H.J.Abstract AvailableItem Paediatric rotavirus diarrhoea in Sri Lanka: a preliminary report(Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians, 2007) Chandrasena, T.G.A.N.; Rajindrajith, S.; Ahmed, K.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Abeyewickreme, W.; Nakagomi, O.BACKGROUND: Group A rotavirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in children. Serotypes Gl, G2, G3 and G4 are mainly responsible for human infections. Strain characterization and serotype distribution of rotavirus in a country is an importaa determinant of future vaccine strategy. Information in this regard is scarce in Sri Lanka. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence, severity and molecular epidemiology of rotavirus diarrhoea among children hospitalized with diarrhoea in Sri Lanka. DESIGN, SETTING AND METHOD: A prospective hospital-based study was conducted in the paediatric units of the North Colombo Teaching Hospital from April 2005-February 2006. Stool samples of children admitted with diarrhoea were analyzed for Group A rotavirus antigen by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (EL1SA) (Rotaclone). Samples positive for rotavirus were characterized electropherotyping (PAGE) and serotyping (reverse transcription-poiymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)) respectively. Severity of diarrhoea was assessed by the Vesikari severity score. RESULTS: A total of 341 children [204 males mean age 25.7 months (range 1-144)] were studied. Sixty seven (19.6%) had rotavirus diarrhoea. RT-PCR and PAGE were done on 58 rotavirus positive samples. Thirty one were PAGE positive with 6 different electropherotypes. RT-PCR revealed the presence of serotypes Gl, G2, G3, G4 and G9 in 7 (12.1%), 16 (27.6%),2 (3.4%), 2 (3.4%), and 11 (19.0%) samples respectively. Twenty (34.5%) were untypable. Severity score, assessed in 326 patients, revealed a mean score of 13.3 and 11.4 in rotavirus positive and negative patients respectively (p=0.05). Presence frequency and duration of vomiting and duration of diarrhoea were significantly higher in rotavirus diarrhoea (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Rotavirus is an important agent of severe paediatric diarrhoea in Sri Lanka. Molecular analysis indicates genetic diversity among group A rotavirus in Sri Lanka. This study reports for the first time of G9 type rotavirus infection in Sri Lanka.Item The Ragama Health Study: the methodology of the prospective cohort study for the establishment of diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome in Sri Lankans(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2008) Wickremasinghe, A.R.; de Silva, H.J.; de Silva, H.A.; de Silva, N.R.; Kasturiratne, A.; Pinidiyapathirage, J.; Chackrewarthy, S.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Weerasinghe, G.A.K.; Abeyewickreme, W.; Makaya, M.; Mizoue, T.; Kato, N.BACKGROUND: Sri Lanka is in the midst of the epidemiologic transition with non-communicable diseases being a leading cause of death and hospitalization. This pilot study is a part of an international study conducted by the International Medical Centre of Japan (IMCJ) in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine, University ofKelaniya. OBJECTIVE; To determine the prevalence of major metabolic disorders and to establish diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome in the Sri Lankan population as a pilot study. DESIGN, SETTING AND METHODS: A random sample of 3500 adults 35-64 years was selected from the electoral register. Houses of selected subjects were visited and the selected subject invited to participate in the study. Subjects were instructed to fast for 12 hours and refrain from smoking and consumption of alcohol overnight prior to presenting at the Family Medicine clinic of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. At the clinic, subjects were assigned an unique identification number and a detailed history taken and investigations carried out. Heights, weights, blood pressure and waist and hip circumference were measured using standard techniques. Subjects underwent an ultrasound scan of the liver and a sample of blood was obtained for full. blood count, blood picture, lipid profile, serurn insulin, serum alanine transferase, fasting blood sugar and for genetic analysis. Samples of blood for genetic analysis have been stored at -30° C until further analysis. In addition, subjects were administered a food frequency questionnaire and an assessment of daily physical activities recorded. All subjects with abnormal results of investigations are being followed up.Item Comparison of methods for diagnosis of bancroftian filariasis(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2000) Chandrasena, T.G.A.N.; Premaratna, B.A.H.R.; Abeyewickreme, W.; de Silva, N.R.OBJECTIVE: Evaluate a rapid format immuno-chromatographic card test (ICT Diagnostics, Australia) in the diagnosis of bancroftian filariasis. METHOD: Thick night blood films (TBF), Nuclepore membrane filtration (NMF) and ICT were performed on venous blood collected from 226 individuals selected from highly endemic localities in Colombo [n~153 (63%)] and Gampaha [n=73 (32.3%)] districts. Blood was collected between 20.00 and 23.00 hours. 60ul of non-heparinised blood, 1ml and lOOpl of heparinised blood were used in TBF, NMF and ICT tests respectively. A self-administered questionnaire (expert validated) was used to screen for clinical manifestations. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 34-8yrs (range 14-76, SD 16.78); the male: female ratio was 98: 128. NMF was positive in 66/226 (29%), with a mean microfilariae count of 343/ml (range 9-1782, SD 422). All 66 were positive by ICT (sensitivity = 100%) but only 63 by TBF (sen.sitivity=95%). 59/226 (26.1%) had one or more filariasis specific symptoms (lymphoedema, hydrocoele, lymphadenitis, lymphangitis, fever, night cough and red spots). Of the 59, 25 (42.3%) were positive by the ICT, 24 (40.6%) were positive by NMF. The other 34 were negative in both tests. Out of the 166 asymptomatics, 42 were positive in both NMF and ICT, but there were 13 more positives with ICT. CONCLUSIONS: ICT card test was more sensitive in detecting microfilaria compared to venous thick night blood film. Both ICT and NMF were positive in only in about 40% of individuals with symptoms suggestive of filariasis.Item Paediatric rota-virus diarrhoea in Sri Lanka: a preliminary report(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2007) Chandrasena, T.G.A.N.; Rajindrajith, S.; Ahmed, K.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Abeyewickreme, W.; Nakagomi, O.OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence, severity and molecular epidemiology of group A rotavirus infections among children hospitalized with diarrhoea in Sri Lanka. DESIGN, SETTINGS AND METHODS: A prospective hospital-based study was conducted in the paediatric units of the Colombo North Teaching Hospital from April 2005 to February 2006. Stool samples of children admitted with diarrhoea were analysed for Group A rotavirus antigen by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Rotaclone ®). Samples positive for rotavirus were characterised by electropherotyping (PAGE) and serotyping (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) respectively. Severity of diarrhoea was assessed by the Vesikari severity score. RESULTS: A total of 341 children [(204 males, mean age 25.7 months (range 1-144)] were studied. Sixty seven (19.6%) had rotavirus diarrhoea. RT-PCR and PAGE were done on 58 rotavirus positive samples. Thirty one samples were PAGE positive with 6 different electropherotypes. RT-PCR revealed the presence of serotypes Gl, G2, G3, G4 and G9 in 7 (12.1%), 16 (27.6%), 2 (3.4%), 2 (3.4%) and 11 (19.0%) samples respectively. Twenty samples (34.5%) were untypable. Severity score assessed in 326 patients revealed a mean score of 13.3 and 11.4 in rotavirus positive and negative diarrhoeas respectively (p<0.05). Presence, frequency and duration of vomiting and duration of diarrhoea were significantly higher in rotavirus infections (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Rotavirus is an important agent of severe paediatric diarrhoea in Sri Lanka. Molecular analysis indicates genetic diversity among group A rotavirus. This study reports for the first time G9 type rotavirus infection in Sri Lanka.